Criticize as often as you can.
“Can’t we all just get along?” -- Rodney King The condemners, you know the ones, the ones who know better than you about you. They are quick to talk about what they believe to be the faults of other or of a situation. They are swift to make a judgement about something or someone before they know they whole story. “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13) “Listen to me, I am important.” Is what they are really saying. “Others just need to understand my potential.” They think to themselves. Many critics are people with low self-esteem, while they display an appearance of high self-esteem. Others must value your opinions and your time to bring meaning to your life. That is why you must protest, grumble, whine, object, and find fault with everything. The problem with this approach to get self-worth is all that negativity they bring will lead them straight to bitterness. And we all know that bitter people are mean critics, their words can cut you very deep. Critics are often not concerned with conversation as much as they are about being right. They do not want to listen, they want to be heard. Condemners know more and better than you, and any point of view that differs from theirs is not worth the time to be considered. The truth is we all have the right to our own opinions and we have the freedom to be wrong, but we never grow as a person or as a society if we are not willing to even consider each other’s point of view. Criticizers have difficulty listening with an open mind. They cannot listen objectively to any point of view different than their own. People who hold what they consider as incorrect opinions are inferior to them. Yes, complainers need to feel that their viewpoint is superior to any other viewpoint. Grumblers become so judgmental that they will believe that a person from another culture, race, or even region of the country are uneducated and simple minded. Critics do not mind having intellectual conversation under two conditions, 1. You agree with them 2. The other person(s) are equal to them in race, culture or social standing. Critics become closed-mind people. A closed-mind is blocked from new ideas, new ways at seeing things, and new opportunities in life. Simply put, they are stuck with their same behavior and views with no room for personal growth. The Bible names this type of person as “stiff-necked” they are unable to turn and look at the possibility that they may be wrong. Successful people are not afraid of positive change and are open to new ways to doing things. Mature people are willing to admit their way of thinking or doing things is wrong. Being unable to change your beliefs or behavior will cause you to be a problem with everyone who has to deal with you. Eventually you will find yourself ignored and banished from fellow work mates, family members, and friends. Not all change is good, but in general change is good. If someone has a different point of view then yours, take time to listen and evaluate that view. Learning will broaden your horizons. Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged. “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.” ― Winston S. Churchill “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” ― Aristotle Many will say that they are just venting. And while venting with a trusted friend can be helpful, there is a difference between venting and out right griping. Venting Versus Griping Venting is addressed to trusted friend(s) and dropped there and then. Griping is addressed to as many people as you can get to listen to you and repeated as often as possible. YOU MUST BE HEARD. Venting is looking for constructive answers or understanding. Griping is looking for an audience to convince how wrong things are. YOU KNOW BETTER. Venting is away to let go of your frustrations. Griping is away to let others know how critical you are to the situation. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. Venting is a way to talk out an unfair, passed over opportunity. Griping is a way to complain to everyone how unfair life or people are to you. YOU DESERVE BETTER. Venting is a way to calm your anger. Griping is a way to let everybody know just how angry you are. YOU NEED TO BE HAPPY. Can you see that venting is about keeping yourself under control, while griping is about YOU, and just you. Four Steps to Control Your Complaining: Conscious: Catch yourself complaining, take time to listen to yourself. Correction: Switch that negative talk to positive expression. Clarity: Know what you really want. And ask yourself. “Is there a more positive way to accomplish this?” Commit: Have goals and stick with them. You are more positive when you feel you are on a positive path. Ask yourself, “Will this drama I will be causing get me off track?” |
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